Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2021 Cadillac CT5, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Electrical system13
- Structure7
- Power train4
- Unknown or other4
- Air bags2
- Forward collision avoidance2
- Visibility1
- Steering1
- Seat belts1
- Visibility/wiper1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2021 Cadillac CT5 failed the safety check 0.73% of the time — 23% less often than the average 2021 passenger car (0.95%). Median odometer at inspection: 18,951 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; 2 of 2 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 Cadillac CT5 4 DR AWD | ★★★★★ | 9.5 % |
| 2021 Cadillac CT5 4 DR RWD | ★★★★★ | 9.5 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Standard
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- 5 / 5
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 6 variants: combined 9.0–11.1 L/100 km (about 21–26 mpg US), CO₂ 209–260 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| CT5 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 10.4 | 7.3 | 9.0 |
| CT5 AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 11.0 | 7.7 | 9.5 |
| CT5 · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.3 | 8.5 | 10.6 |
| CT5-V · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 8.7 | 10.9 |
| CT5 AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.1 | 11.1 |
| CT5-V AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.1 | 11.1 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
5 Transport Canada recalls for the 2021 Cadillac CT5.
| 2025118 6 Mar 2025 | Powertrain Issue: Over time, the transmission control valve could wear and lose pressure. If this happens, the transmission could shift harshly and could cause the wheel… |
| 2024060 1 Feb 2024 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the lower beam headlamps not to turn on as it becomes dark outside if the multi-function switch is … |
| 2022700 8 Dec 2022 | Lights And Instruments Issue: On certain vehicles, the daytime running lamps (DRLs) may stay on when the headlamps are on. Canadian regulations require the DRLs to turn off when the… |
| 2021488 5 Aug 2021 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, the roof-rail airbags may not have been installed correctly. As a result, the airbags may not inflate properly in a crash. Saf… |
| 2021348 3 Jun 2021 | Airbag Issue: On certain vehicles, a software problem could cause the airbag warning light not to turn on when there is a fault in the airbag system. As a result, a … |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
General Motors LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2019-2020 Cadillac CT6, 2020-2021 CT4, CT5, and 2020-2022 Chevrolet Camaro vehicles equipped with a 10-speed transmission. The transmission may become damaged internally and cause the wheels to lock-up.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Cadillac CT4 and CT5; 2021-2023 Buick Envision; and 2022-2023 Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Suburban, Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, Yukon, and Yukon XL vehicles. The daytime running lights (DRLs) may not deactivate when the headlights are on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
General Motors, LLC. (GM) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Cadillac CT4 and CT5 vehicles. The roof rail side-curtain air bags may not have been installed correctly, which could result in an improper air bag deployment during a crash.
General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2021 Buick Envision, Cadillac CT4, CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Chevrolet Tahoe, Corvette, Suburban, GMC Yukon, Yukon XL vehicles. The communications gateway module incorrectly processes a loss of communication with the sensing diagnostic module (SDM), causing the air bag malfunction indicator light to inconsistently illuminate.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Cadillac told its dealers about the 2021 Cadillac CT5: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11012009 | This bulletin helps aid the tech in possible transmission noise that may be normal or abnormal depending on the concern noted. |
| 11011996 | This service bulletin provides diagnostic/repair information to correct a customer concern of Cellphone not Charging or USB Receptacle Inoperative. |
| 11011993 | This service bulletin provides repair information to correct customer concerns of Wheel Lock Up, ABS Event, Loud Bang and a Flashing D on Driver Information Center (DIC) when Lightly or Moderately Accelerating Forcing an 8-7 or 8-6 Downshift. |
| 11011989 | This service bulletin provides information on the harmful effects of ethylene glycol in transmission fluid. |
| 11011900 | This diagnostic tip bulletin provides additional information on how to diagnose a possible valve, lifter or camshaft issue. |
| 11011885 | This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips on how to resolve a issues with vehicles that will not power up after a can bus 2 issue, lightning strike, or a failed overthe air update. |
| 11011872 | This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip on how to resolve a issue if the serial data authentication configuration did not complete correctly. |
| 11011857 | This Preliminary information communicatesDiagnostic Tips When Having Difficulties Programming Or Adding Key Fobs / Transmitters. |
| 11011805 | This Preliminary information communicates a GM part number forreflective high temperature heat or insulating tape when repairing wiring harnesses. |
| 11011782 | This Preliminary Information communication provides information to the technician about the use of J-35616-64B terminal test probe, replacement terminals, and terminated leads. The J-35616-64B is the latest test probe released for checking tension or probing the .64 series terminals. The test probe terminal has been released in the terminal repair kit (J-38125-620H) located in Lear Tray 7 part number 963716-2. There are 5 terminated leads in a package part number is 13505346, which can be ordered through your normal General Motors Customer Care and Aftersales parts channel. |
| 11011711 | This service bulletin provides a repair procedure to correct a customer concern of Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) Illuminated, DTC P31E8, P31DB, P31D4 and/or P31E2 Set. |
| 11011709 | This bulletin advises the dealers to maintain the vehicle stock on hand by doing a full inspection on the vehicles before being sold (prepping) to the customer. |
| 11011476 | This Preliminary information communicates diagnostic tips on how to resolve a issues with vehicles that will not power up after a can bus 2 issue, lightning strike, or a failed overthe air update. |
| 11011475 | This Preliminary information communicates a diagnostic tip on how to resolve a issue if the serial data authentication configuration did not complete correctly. |
| 11011459 | This Preliminary information communicates a possible retainer ring dis-lodged fora DTC P2714, may not have reverse as well. |
| 11011444 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer a process for accessing the procedure to add attachments to a GM technical assistance case using the dealer case management tool. |
| 11011420 | This Preliminary information communicates to the dealer technician that TAC recommends the utilization of the GDS2 software to aid in diagnosing automatic transmission concerns. TAC is requesting the GDS2 session logs be sent in before the dealer contacts TAC. |
| 11011406 | This Preliminary information communicatesa "Forward Collision System Reduced" message displayed on the DIC when theForward Automatic Braking has been set to the "Alert" setting. This is normal when theFAB has been set to "Alert". |
| 11011386 | This Preliminary information communicates an issue where the odometer mileage is incorrect after performing a module setup procedure and a FSE will be dispatched to the vehicle to correct the odometer error. |
| 11011367 | This informational bulletin provides a guide on how to diagnose and test for vibrations utilizing the PicoScope. |
| 11011337 | This Preliminary information communicates an issue where the odometer mileage is incorrect after performing a module setup procedure and a FSE will be dispatched to the vehicle to correct the odometer error. |
| 11011224 | This Preliminary information communicates an issue where the odometer mileage is incorrect after performing a module setup procedure and a FSE will be dispatched to the vehicle to correct the odometer error. |
| 11011205 | This informational bulletin explains Unscheduled Supplemental Services and the importance of GM Simplified Maintenance Schedules. |
| 11010901 | This bulletin provides a procedure on how to check for a battery drain utilizing the Picoscope and how to measure the load on the system that may be causing a drain. |
| 11010793 | Customer Satisfaction Program. Certain vehicles, equipped with Super Cruise require high-definition road maps to be updated frequently. This ensures the vehicle is current with road changes and any additional Super Cruise approved mapped roads. Dealers will reprogram the automated driving mapping module and the image processing module. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Air Bag Malfunction
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation